Attorney for jockey Eswan Flores says client didn't use cocaine

DEL MAR  Roger Licht, the Beverly Hills-based attorney for apprentice jockey Eswan Flores, believes his client has proven he did not use cocaine.

Flores, who was taken off his mounts Aug. 25 by the California Horse Racing Board for testing positive for cocaine, took a second test that day, two days after his initial test. That test, according to his attorney, did not show cocaine.

“His first test showed such a high amount of cocaine that it still would have been in his system two days later,” Licht said. “His test still would have been dirty two days later. I didn’t want him to take the test because I felt it would only hurt him more, but he insisted on taking it.”

Licht said he believe Flores is telling the truth when he says he didn’t use cocaine. Licht told him that he was only facing a rehabilitation with the Winners Foundation group and some suspended days. But Flores insisted on his innocence and wanted to fight the charge.

Licht said he will represent him and try and fight the charges.

“He took a polygraph test and tested very strong,” Licht said. “He has a tremendous person in Doug Christensen, who is his mentor and insists on Eswan’s innocence.”

Licht said he’ll examine the chain of custody of the tested sample and then work with the CHRB in any way he can to settle the matter.

“The fact he tested clean two days after the initial test is a key,” LIcht said.

CHRB chairman Keith Brackpool confirmed that Flores did test positive on his initial test. Now the matter must work through the CHRB. As of late Wednesday, there was no action by the CHRB.